Three “Small Plates” for Easy Valentine’s Day Menu: Part 3

Mapping the Day Chocolate gets all the attention on Valentine’s Day. It was the Cadbury Brothers in 19th century England who originally marketed chocolates in a heart-shaped box for February 14th. Commercialization of the observance and all things chocolate heightens every year. The Cadbury’s were very good marketers! Local Story We are bloggers divided when…

Farm to Pico-Tini Cocktail

Farm to Cocktail   MAPPING THE DAY Farmers Markets are some of our favorite destinations on our RoadTrips and at home.  Colors, aromas, tastings, as well as passionate farmers, chefs and patrons all converge in one open air space.  As we walked through favorite Friday Farmers Market recently, we starting talking about how the Farm…

Italy in Our Kitchen

MAPPING THE DAY Traveling through Italy, we have tasted and appreciated the flavors of well-crafted pasta dishes. Typically the pasta is not drenched in heavy sauce. It is a marriage of sauce and pasta tossed to one perfect union.     LOCAL STORY We have owned our Imperia Pasta Machine for years. Neither of us…

RoadTrip Travel Experiences Adopted At Home

New Years at Home Our RoadTrip travels in 2012 have taken us to amazing places where we have enjoyed welcoming people and memorable cuisine. Along the way, we strive to appreciate and adopt traditions of others. A cookbook from Sedona, green chilis from New Mexico, a Belgian beer glass, a reclaimed European baguette board from…

Shopping for Ingredients Spurs Recipe Creativity

Laguna Hills, California It may sound crazy to some, but K.O. and I love grocery stores, Farmers Markets and specialty food stores.  Yes, we can lose ourselves in any given market.  At home or on a RoadTrip, perusing local flavors makes for a great day.   Mapping the Day The other day, we set out…

Southwest Flavors on the Grill for Thanksgiving

Southern California The more we eat peppers, the more we want them.  So why not spice up Thanksgiving with Southwest flavors and a little smoke?  Fresh ingredients like sweet potatoes, zucchini and Mexican squash, tomatoes and even turkey are enhanced by the heat of peppers.  Enjoy turkey and all the fixings … Southwest style.  …

Trick or Treat for Halloween Bloody Mary Bar

Southern California Even though it still feels like summer here in Southern California, it is the end of October and time to celebrate Halloween.  We have fond memories as children of dressing up for Trick or Treat, then taking our own kids around the neighborhood to gather their candy loot and even attending some costume…

World Series Baseball Team-Themed Slider Recipe Competition

Southern California     MAPPING THE DAY The 2012 Major League Baseball season is culminating in what promises to be a fantastic finale with the World Series starting tonight.  The final seven-game dual has come down to the Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants. LOCAL STORY Granted our beloved Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim did not…

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Southern California   Hawaiian-Style Dessert for Labor Day By Guest Blogger Marie Lett Angels Fan, Foodie, Pastry Chef www.marieklett.com Pineapple Upside Down Cake will command oohs and aahs after a Hawaiian-style meal of Pineapple-Glazed Ribs and Chicken, Easy Pea Salad and Fried Rice.  It is colorful and a perfect ending to this themed meal for Labor…

Fried Rice for Grilling Hawaiian-Style

Southern California Hawaiian-Style Meal Fried rice can be found in many cuisines and compliments our Hawaiian-themed meal for Labor Day Grilling, including Pineapple-Glazed Ribs and Chicken, Easy Pea Salad and Pineapple Upside Down Cake.  It can be made in advance and kept warm while the ribs and chicken are on the grill. Fool-proof results every time…